AMBIENT LIGHTING ADDS ELEGANCE TO SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD BUILDING

By Mohd Yusof Saari

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The 116-year-old Sultan Abdul Samad
Building, a major landmark in the national capital, has been making heads turn
since the past few nights as tourists and city folks take delight at the sight
of colourful lights illuminating its facade.

The building, built in 1894 and declared a national heritage in 2007, has
been attracting extra attention since Monday night following the move by the
Information Communication and Culture Ministry to install floodlights around it.

Minister Dr Rais Yatim, who was among those present Thursday night to
see the building in its new light, said other heritage buildings could also
benefit from similar initiative.

He said that apart from attracting more tourists to the city, the initiative
would also create a pleasing impact on the aesthetic values of heritage
buildings.

"I'm confident that if we continue with this programme, many more tourists
will come here... we shall see how we can expand this initiative to other
buildings," he said.

The fully computerised lighting system, using the energy-efficient LED or
light emitting diode, was first activated on the eve of the National Day on
Monday night.

The system also covers the old post office building, with the light turned
on from 6pm to 6am.

Dr Rais said the lighting system would enliven national events which were
normally held in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building complex such as the
National Day, Malaysia Day and the Federal Territory's Day.

He hoped that the initiative could be further expanded, for a start, to the
Textile Museum and Heritage Restaurant Building nearby.

Rais also said that the Sultan Abdul Samad Building's light up would help
enhance awareness among the younger generation about the country's history.

"Although we live in Kuala Lumpur, we don't normally ask when was a certain
building built, who built it or its significance before and after the country's
independence.

"(This programme) encourages them to investigate about the country's
history," he said, adding that the initiative also showed Malaysia's
capabilities in sprucing up its historical buildings.

He added that the lighting process was not done in random but was planned
and controlled in such a way to optimise the building's architecture.

Project director Azlan Abass of Al Saah Sdn Bhd said the lighting system was
the first to be installed in the country.

"We are still training the ministry's staff how to handle the system's
software. After this they can configure the lighting based on the preferred
themes," he said.
-- BERNAMA


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